Frequently asked questions

Find answers to the most common questions about SlowStop®.

Have you ever had one break?

Just a handful. It’s a tough world out there, and someone always finds a way, usually by driving too fast. That being said, in all cases, we’ve merely replaced a part and had the bollard back in action in no time at all. We’ve had thousands of bollards in hundreds of installations and the failures have been limited to impact far beyond design. This product truly is the answer to bollard maintenance headaches. Our two-year warranty shows how confident we are in our bollards.

Why shouldn’t I just buy a cheap steel bollard that cost so much less?

The simple answer is because it doesn’t cost less! It costs more, much more. Sure, you might not pay much for a simple piece of pipe, but consider the other costs. Coring concrete is time consuming and requires expensive equipment. It’s not flexible either, as it leaves a large hole in your infrastructure. Once it is hit, it either bends or cracks your concrete, leaving you with a headache to deal with and huge repair bills. That doesn’t even consider the damage to vehicles, loads, and potentially injured passengers. Install a SlowStop® Bollard one time and your headaches are over.

Can I customize my SlowStop® Bollard?

Yes, in many ways. Although we ship standard in safety yellow, many customers choose to paint their bollards custom colors or use a colored plastic bollard cover. We can also provide custom painted pipe, galvanized, or stainless steel, but it might take us a little more time and cost. At times, we also add retro-reflective sheeting to the bollards for enhanced visibility. We also offer elbows, tees, and cross connectors to create many configurations. And because we use standard ANSI and ISO pipe sizes, it’s easy to create custom welded guarding, or add steel caps. Custom heights are available as well.

Can a SlowStop® Bollard break?

Of course any guard structure can break given a hard enough impact, but if designed correctly, the likelihood is low. If it does occur, most likely you’ll merely need to replace the pipe, as it is designed to bend first. This can be done with common hand tools in just minutes! The product carries a two year warranty against manufacturing defects and against breakage of the SlowStop base or modular connectors.

Can I use SlowStop® Bollards as positive stops?

Yes, many of our logistics and distribution center customers use SlowStop bollards as a cushioned positive stop for precise loading and unloading, allowing their fork truck or dolly to slowly position themselves using the bollards.

Can I move my SlowStop® Bollards?

Yes, simply unscrew the anchors, fill in the old holes (if you desire), and move to your new location. We do recommend gauging the threads on the anchors to ensure that they have not worn down. The manufacturer states that they can be re-used on average 10 times.

I have a large project that I am considering using SlowStop® Bollards for. What kind of deals and support can I expect?

We can help you to specify exactly what you’ll need for your project. We can provide drawings, and project quotations. For very large projects, we can work with you on delivery scheduling to ensure manufacturing capacity.

Can I use SlowStop® Bollards in extreme temperatures?

Yes, SlowStop® is rated from -40°C to 70°C due to the special metals used in the design. Don’t be fooled by some all plastic solutions that may become brittle from -7°C or more.

How far from a wall or other solid object should I place a SlowStop® Bollard?

It depends on the height of the bollard, but for standard 42” bollards keep 13” clearance (310cm for a 100cm bollard). The simple rule of thumb is 1/3 x pipe length.

How long will the Bollards last? Will the elastomer wear out?

You can expect the bollards to last a lifetime assuming they aren’t destroyed in a crash (in which case, they likely did their job). The elastomer is protected from the elements and won’t wear out. Our steel pipe is galvanized and painted with a powder-coated UV resistant paint for excellent corrosion resistance. The base metal pieces are electro-coated then painted as well, for a C5I High corrosion resistance rating.

What maintenance is required?

None that you wouldn’t provide to any steel pipe outdoors. Perhaps an occasional painting, or if you’d like, you could install a plastic bollard cover to eliminate painting. Periodic inspection to ensure that no parts have been compromised or loosen is prudent. See our maintenance guidelines below.